When to Plant Snow Peas in USDA Zone 6a
Top priorities for Zone 6a gardeners in April
April rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Zone 6a.
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Set out snow peas seedlings
Pinch off the lowest leaves on each seedling before you plant — it reduces water loss while the roots catch up.
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Seed snow peas outdoors
Mark the row. Birds and stray feet both have opinions about unmarked beds.
May will be here before you know it — start on
- Starting indoors: snow peas
Snow peas are a flat-podded pea variety eaten whole when the seeds inside are still tiny. They are essential in Asian stir-fries and have a delicate, sweet flavor.
In Zone 6a, the average last spring frost is around April 10 and the first fall frost is around October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 193 days.
Snow Peas Planting Timeline — Zone 6a
Where Is USDA Zone 6a?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 6a. Click any state to see the Snow Peas planting schedule for that location.
Snow Peas Planting Calendar — Zone 6a
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 6 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 10 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Direct Sow | March 27 | Mar 27 – Apr 17 |
| Harvest | June 5 | Jun 5 – Jul 31 |
| Fall Sowing | August 11 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
Plant 1" deep · 4" apart · Rows 18" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | — |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 6a Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 6a with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Days to Maturity
50–65 days
Soil pH
6 – 7.5
Zone Temperature Range
°F to °F average annual minimum
Growing Season
193 days (Zone average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 1 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 4 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 18 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Snow Peas in Zone
Sow every 5.7 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Snow Peas in Zone
Zone has a short growing season (~193 days). Start Snow Peas indoors early and use season-extension techniques like row covers and cold frames.
Direct sow in early spring. Pick pods frequently when they are flat and tender for best flavor. Provide support for climbing varieties.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Avoid Planting Near
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Saving Snow Peas Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Related Plants
Snow Peas in Other Zones
Snow Peas by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Snow Peas in Zone 6a?
In Zone 6a, plan your Snow Peas planting around the average last frost date of April 10. Start seeds indoors around March 6. Direct sow outdoors around March 27. Transplant seedlings around April 10.
Can Snow Peas grow in Zone 6a?
Yes, Snow Peas can grow well in Zone 6a, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 11b. Zone 6a has a growing season of approximately 193 days, which is sufficient for Snow Peas (50-65 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Snow Peas in Zone 6a?
In Zone 6a, expect to harvest Snow Peas from June 5 – July 31. Snow Peas takes 50-65 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 6a?
The average last spring frost in Zone 6a is around April 10, and the first fall frost is around October 20. This gives a growing season of approximately 193 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Snow Peas?
Good companion plants for Snow Peas include Carrots, Radish, Turnip. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
Your Free Printable Garden Planner
A 24-page printable planner tailored to your zone. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.